St. Michael's Episcopal Church

The first efforts to establish an Episcopal congregation in Easley occurred in the late nineteenth century. In 1878 the Rev. E. C. Logan conducted a mission at Wellford, SC and also held services in Easley. In 1886, the Rev. J. D. McCollough reported work in Easley. A lot had been secured to build a church. The Rev. Messrs. Ellison Capers and W. P. DuBose assisted him in this work. However, the effort was short-lived, and in 1888 Mr. McCollough reported the mission discontinued, with "more than half the members having removed."

In 1951, the Rev. Jack W. Cole of St. Paul's, Pendleton, having been commissioned by the Rt. Rev. John Gravatt, Bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina to investigate the feasibility of establishing a mission in Easley, first contacted Mr. A. G. Clarkson, Jr. No further work is known until 1953 when a meeting was held in the home of Mr. Clarkson for the purpose of establishing an Episcopal Church in Easley. The first service, a celebration of Holy Communion, was held on November 29, 1953 in the chapel of Robinson's Funeral Home, with 12 persons attending. On July 23, 1954 the congregation was accepted by the Rt. Rev. C. Alfred Cole, who had succeeded Bishop Gravatt, as an unorganized mission, based on a request for acceptance signed by 15 persons. The first confirmation of four persons was held December 12, 1954. On May 4, 1955, it became an organized mission with the name "St. Michael's" and was admitted into union with the Convention of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. The Rev. Jack W. Cole was named priest-in-charge.

A great step forward was taken on July 22, 1955 when a lot was purchased on the corner of Southway and Andrew Streets. The purchase money came chiefly from the gift of the 1953 Advent Offering of the church schools of the Diocese. Several branches of the Episcopal Church Women also generously assisted.

During the year 1956 a period of growth began. On August 19, 1956 a building fund committee was appointed. To work with the building committee, a finance committee was appointed. On October 28, 1956 the congregation approved the plans made by these committees to build a parish house which could be used as an "all-purpose" building, with erection of a "proper" church to come when this building was paid for. Construction began on November 9, 1956 and was completed in early 1957. The first service in the new building was conducted February 24, 1957. On that date the congregation had grown to 40 communicants and 60 baptized members. The first Sunday School class was held on March 17, 1957 with 27 children present.

Rev. Cole served at St. Michael's from November 19, 1953 through December 31, 1958. He was succeeded on January 1, 1959 by the Rev. Gaston DeF. Bright, who served through June 30, 1962. On May 2, 1961 St. Michael's was admitted into the Convention of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina as a parish, with the Rev. Bright as rector. On August 26, 1962 the Rev. Thomas F. Hudson became rector and served through March 1, 1964. He was followed by the Rev. Raymond L. Phillips, who served from March 15, 1965 through late 1971. The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr. followed on November 1, 1971 and served through December 31, 1979.

Once a thriving parish, St. Michael's was beset by economic problems, and on December 2, 1979 the church, unable to carry out its responsibilities as a parish, once again became a mission. However, the 27-year-old church entered a new phase of its history with the arrival of the Rev. Kenneth L. Donald, who became Vicar at St. Michael's on July 1, 1980. Rev. Donald brought a fresh air of excitement to the congregation and it was said that the members rediscovered Christian fellowship. Rev. Donald once stated that "at the moment things are going so great here I hate to think or write about it for fear the shoe will drop. The only thing that hasn't doubled is space and we've run out of that."

With the obvious need for more space to meet their growing congregation, Rev. Donald was the driving force in the purchase of six acres of land for $36,000 in 1984 in a different part of town, which proved to be one of the fastest growing areas in Easley. A building fund was established and the congregation was enthusiastic over the prospect of building a new church. Rev. Donald played a great part in the revitalization of St. Michael's. He retired on December 7, 1985. Although all of this was a great start, unfortunately the building effort gradually lost impetus. The Rev. Edsel L. Keith served as a supply priest from December 15, 1985 through July 31, 1986. He was followed by Rev. George R. Pruitt, Jr., who served from July 20, 1986 through April 14, 1991.

When the Rev. W. Parker Marks, Jr. arrived as vicar on July 14, 1991, St. Michael's was having a difficult time. The church members worshipped in a building that was outdated, too small, and in an unhelpful location; it was losing parishioners and was financially strapped. But the congregation never lost faith. On February 4, 1995 St. Michael's once again achieved parish status. Eventually, under the leadership, vision, and commitment of Rev. Marks to see the building of this new church through, the investments of the church, the land, the building fund, numerous fundraisers by the Episcopal Church Women, personal member pledges, and a larger church family finally paid off. In late 2001 the church building and land were sold to help finance the construction of a new building and on January 1, 2002 the congregation moved into a temporary shopping center store front location as construction was started on the new church.

On January 12, 2003 an excited, growing, vibrant congregation held its first service in its beautiful new building and the dream of erecting a "proper" church was finally a reality. On February 28, 2003 a dedication and consecration service was held at the new St. Michael's with the Rt. Rev. Dorsey Henderson, Bishop, Diocese of Upper South Carolina, Archdeacon Frederick Byrd and Rev. Parker Marks, Jr. officiating. Rev. Marks retired after this service, after almost 12 years of dedicated service to St. Michael's.

The Rev. William E. Thompson joined St. Michael's as Interim Rector on April 1, 2003 and served through July of 2004. During this period the congregation of St. Michael's was occupied with settling into their new church home and getting used to the idea of functioning as a parish with a larger congregation and new opportunities to grow and serve the community. A Search Ministry was formed and began the process of finding a permanent rector.

On November 30, 2003 the congregation of St. Michael's celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the first service held by St. Michael's congregation. We were very fortunate and grateful to have two of the original founding members still attending our church. Because of the vision and commitment of these founding members and the many faithful people who have come after them, the future of St. Michael's is bright with faith and hope.

Postscript: On June 16, 2004, after hearing a report from the Search Ministry, the Vestry called The Reverend James K. Workman to be the next rector of St. Michael's. On August 15, 2004 Jim Workman held his first service as the rector of St. Michael's. He brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to St. Michael's. With a new permanent rector and a new and larger church building, the congregation looks forward to an exciting period of growth and spiritual development.

Note: The material for this page was adapted from an article by a long-time member of the congregation that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of St. Michael's.

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Copyright © 2006 by St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Easley, SC.